New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico Bowl, Sandia with the snowy mountains as a backdrop, hundreds of fans wearing UTEP orange and blue sweater knit caps braved the temperature under-30-degrees at a rally Friday night in the parking lot of University Stadium.

“We do not mind the cold weather,” said Rachel Hankins, who was there with seven family members. “We do not get it that often, so this was nice. It was great fun. Paydirt Pete is Dougie was the best part of the night. ”
Ah, yes, Paydirt Pete, a finalist in the Capital One Mascot Challenge, boogied off BYU Cosmo the Cougar in a dance-off.Cosmo could muster only a dance robot tired during the competition.

UTEP and the squads BrighamYoung encourage university bands and dance teams all participated.

BYU Cougar a few fans were there too, but most of the cheers, chants and picks came from Miner fans young and old.

“It’s awesome,” Hankins said Zoe, 9. “UTEP beat them in all – the band was better, the cheerleaders are better and the gold miners have been better it’ll be better when UTEP won the bowl game …”

The Pep Rally, the opening shot of a lunch earlier in the day and UTEP Alumni Association reception at night was a prelude to the Cup now New Mexico between UTEP and BYU. Kicking off at noon and the game can be seen on ESPN.

“I wanted to leave the city to have UTEP playing so close to I was perfect,” said Rick Winton, who was the kickoff luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino yesterday afternoon. “I went out with my grandmother, so I’m in the game, she will be taking the slots at the Hard Rock.” Jeanne Lentz Manny was already in the Christmas spirit, donning a green knit cap with oversized elf ears. She predicted a 30-17 victory minors.

“We loved the pep rally,” said Lentz, who is attending his second bowl game UTEP. “People who stayed in El Paso do not know what they lack. Like UTEP, UTEP is my house, my room is all UTEP. You have to support the community, UTEP and why not, win or lose. “